thecrossing | voice + text

[You feel it before you hear it: an uncanny sensation like you aren't alone, like someone just out of sight has fixed their attention on you.

They're not hiding, though. The Ferryman is simply speaking, directly into all of your minds, as clear as if they were standing right beside you.]

It's starting.

Sorry. Was hoping you'd all have more time to rest before we got going. But when it's time, it's time.

We're going to Cross. Not now, but soon. You'll feel it when the moment gets here. And you need to be ready for what that means, when it does.

It's a dangerous journey. There's still a lot of yourself left to lose, even if it doesn't feel like it now. That's my role here. I can guide you through it. Keep you safe.

There's a cost. You'll have to give something up, a part of your life Before. A face. A feeling. A memory. That's your toll to Cross. You pay it to me, and you won't get it back.

You don't have to pay. But if you're not with me, I can't keep you safe. You'll have to make The Crossing on your own. And if you do, there's a chance you lose a whole lot more than what the toll is asking from you.

There's some time left still. You don't need to decide now. But you do need to decide. You'll find out soon what sort of toll The Crossing is asking for, this time around.

Come find me if you want to talk. I'll be where I always am.

[The connection is tenuous; message delivered, The Ferryman's voice fades from your mind. If you're quick, and you concentrate, you might be able to grab on long enough to ask a question or two more.

Otherwise, all that remains is the object that purports to connect you with the other souls, all tasked with making the same decision. Whether it's a page or a screen, there's a new message for you:]

A toll to be levied for safe passage
from the cavern to ǝɹǝɥʍǝsʅǝ

Hear a voice that causes you pain
words spoken with rage or grief or envy
fueled by hate or love or suffering

offer it to The Ferryman
and let go

[ ooc | And we're off! Remember: The Ferryman is (for now!) the only one who can communicate to everyone via voice; the rest of you are stuck with text! The only exception is if characters try to hijack the fading connection to talk with The Ferryman one-on-one; there's a header for those questions here.

Otherwise, consider this a mingle! Chat, threadhop, go nuts. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[After the brief but tight hug, Mari did relinquish her hold on Kel and Sunny, stepping just a hairsbreadth away. She had felt her brother tense up and once again it was most likely her fault… she tried not to let that show on her far as she extended a hand towards Nagito.]

Hi! I’m Mari! Sunny’s older sister and one of Kel’s other friends.

[He could feel the tension no matter what and Kel let out a small sigh before pushing himself away as well once allowed to move by Mari. Right, this was awkward...]

Sorry. Sorry. I know Sunny doesn't like to be touched too much- was this a bit too much, buddy? [He had been a master at invading the other's personal bubble, but it was somethign he couldn't bring himself to do right there, right now, and he just... pushed forward as he could, trying to defuse the situation.] But yeah! Friends! It's lovely to have friends, right?

And, for once, I get to be both the taller and the older. Truly a glorious moment!

[There's a lot of information to be had just listening. So Sunny and Mari are siblings, and Mari has been dead long enough that Kel has passed her in age. Mari is Sunny's older sister, but Nagito would have believed they were twins if she'd said so without any other context for him to work with. He files all of this away, with the vague understanding he shouldn't just start asking about it, which he hears as instructions from Hinata rather than his own internal voice.

So, alright--he reaches out to shake Mari's hand.] I'm Komaeda Nagito. It's nice to meet you, even if we're all dead!

[He really thinks he nailed it.]

[Don't worry, Nagito, it's a good thing not asking, especially considering Sunny (From Kel's point of view) managed to strike and bring there 3/3 of their group there to begin with. It truly is a magical world.]

Koemada Nagito is a very cool name, actually. [Oh, god, he could try to say something smarter. Why is he feeling that awkward?] What a lovely group reunion. Union? You know what I mean right? Ahah...

SO! [A clap of his hands.] Why don't we talk about... things we like? And such? I love Basketball. Volleyball. Balls in genral, all sports that involve one are fun. But baseball, I guess, I have an uncomfortable relationship with baseball bats, ahah...

[Acting. So normal.]

Oh, you like my name...? [Nagito doesn't look as caught out as he did when Kel asked to be his friend, but he's still unused enough to compliments he looks surprised.] Well, it's possible my parents could be here, so if I see them, I'll tell them you appreciate it!

[Komaeda Nagito, the world's most normal orphan.]

[Sunny at least felt like he could breathe now, once Mari and Kel had given him some distance. But wow, things were awkward… Sunny was used to feeling tension in the air, but - despite everyone (besides his) best efforts - the mood in this corner could have been cut with a knife.

Not that Sunny had one.

The touch… had been a bit much. That much was obvious by the way Sunny was still shrunk into himself, stature small and curled like a hedgehog, but less prickly. He tried to follow the back and forth.

The conversation… moved so quickly. It didn’t make him dizzy, but… it was so much to digest. He had never been good at this.

Kel’s words about their height however… had Sunny glancing at his sister. They… were the same height now, or almost, weren’t they? The thought had him biting his lip, the pressure almost enough to make it bleed.

Focus.

Right, sports. Sunny crossed two of his opposing fingers in an ‘X’ - sports were a no from him. He wasn’t exactly the most physically fit, exacerbated now by four years of vegetative room sitting. Video games on the other hand…]

It's nice to meet you Nagito!

[Mari enthusiastically shook his hand, the smile never leaving her face. Kel did bring up a good point about talking about stuff they liked... best way to get to know people!]

Sunny's never been that athletic but he has lots of other stuff he excels at! As you can tell- Kel loves sports and always has been amazing at it! [She tried not to grimace at the mention of a baseball bat.] I used to be pretty good at Softball before I messed up my knee...

[Her face turns embarrassed as she brushes a lock of stray hair behind her ear.] Guess it wasn't just meant to be. What about you Nagito? What do you like?

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I will wait for the others after this but I just had to immediately make it even worse okay

Catching up to literally everything said but NAGITO XD

Sorry I'm still not used to checking tags between groups. My bad!